New York City

Just reminiscing with Kelli tonight about New York City. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was living at 377 Rector Place, Apt. 3G. I can't believe I lived there for two years. Life was good. I got to help start a great church, learn under a great leader, plus the woman across the back alley always got dressed in front of her window. Those two years were such a great introduction to ministry that I can't even begin to help you to understand it. I look back to when I was in California meeting with Gregg to see if he wanted to hire me. I still can't believe you hired me Gregg! Wow, what an honor to be a part of something so big!

I had so many incredible first time experiences there. it's such a cool thing to look back upon. I can't believe I did stand up comedy! How many people get that opportunity? Got to work out of an office right across the street from Madison Square Garden. I got to get a Honey Turkey Special or a Chicken Cutlet from Rick at Grace Deli everyday at 7 Dey St! Still haven't found a sandwich to match either of those! I imagine Rick was fairly upset when the Yankees lost. Wish I could hear him talk about it. I got to talk on the bus to a high school mission team who had heard I was a comic and when they made me tell them a joke the only thing that came to mind was the 25 cent peep show bit! Oops. That didn't go over well with the youth pastor! Got to host a Public School Talent Show twice and got called a Catskills Comic (I don't think that's a good thing!) The kids booed me near the end because my jokes out of Highlights Magazine got so bad! I got a bucket of water dumped on my head in the East Village walking back to my apartment! A few days later me and some guys got our revenge by throwing snow balls in her window. So many good memories in the New York days! I can’t even begin to say all that I experienced in those three years. I got to do everything!

Then there are the people. So many great people. Gregg, Jay, Paul, Teresa, Anne, Kim, Matt, Mack, Megan, Heather, Glenn, Melinda, Sundi, Stacey, Cecily, Katie, Dave, Laci, Vail!, Jill, Leslie, Jeff, Brian, Camilo, Ryan, Nick, Shimwell, Abdu!, Elvyss, Kristen, Kurt, Heidi, Bill and Laurie Clark, Brad, Noelle, RG, Mandy, Giles, Jordan, all the college students, so many people. What a great community of people! I can’t believe I was a part of bringing that together, even if it was a tiny little part.

Sometimes I forget to reflect on all the ways that God has worked over the past three years. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in New York. There are very few things I regret. It's hard to see how blessed you are at the time, but I guess that is why reflection is such an important thing.

I really miss hanging out with my friends there at the Kabin, St. Marks Ale House, and especially more than any place else, the Peculier Pub. That is God’s gift to man and how many great times I’ve had there I can't even count. Some of the best conversations and biggest laughs of my life.

Thank you God for blessing me beyond what I can even understand! I look forward to the people we shall meet in the future. And I look forward to seeing these people I’ve mentioned again, if not in this life, then in your Kingdom when it is fully realized!